Guggenheim Issues Pessimistic Forecast for Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) Stock Price

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) had its price objective dropped by equities research analysts at Guggenheim from $211.00 to $195.00 in a report released on Monday, Marketbeat reports. The firm presently has a “buy” rating on the health services provider’s stock. Guggenheim’s price target indicates a potential upside of 30.00% from the company’s previous close.

Several other equities analysts have also commented on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on shares of Universal Health Services from $165.00 to $166.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Monday, July 13th. Robert W. Baird dropped their target price on shares of Universal Health Services from $241.00 to $204.00 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 29th. UBS Group restated a “buy” rating on shares of Universal Health Services in a research note on Friday, May 29th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of Universal Health Services from $235.00 to $205.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, May 20th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of Universal Health Services from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, May 2nd. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and twelve have given a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $213.73.

Universal Health Services Trading Down 0.4%

Shares of NYSE:UHS opened at $150.00 on Monday. The business’s 50-day moving average is $151.65 and its 200 day moving average is $180.98. Universal Health Services has a 1 year low of $140.08 and a 1 year high of $246.32. The firm has a market capitalization of $9.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 6.25, a P/E/G ratio of 0.80 and a beta of 1.07. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 1.08 and a quick ratio of 1.01.

Universal Health Services (NYSE:UHS) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 28th. The health services provider reported $5.62 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.41 by $0.21. Universal Health Services had a return on equity of 19.57% and a net margin of 8.56%.The business had revenue of $4.50 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.39 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $4.84 earnings per share. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts predict that Universal Health Services will post 23.44 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Universal Health Services

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of UHS. Pzena Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 31.5% in the 4th quarter. Pzena Investment Management LLC now owns 2,112,604 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $460,590,000 after acquiring an additional 505,575 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its holdings in shares of Universal Health Services by 12.1% during the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,781,262 shares of the health services provider’s stock worth $318,812,000 after purchasing an additional 192,351 shares during the last quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership lifted its position in Universal Health Services by 1.7% during the first quarter. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership now owns 1,226,577 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $219,520,000 after purchasing an additional 20,577 shares during the period. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Universal Health Services during the fourth quarter valued at $199,334,000. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted its holdings in Universal Health Services by 59.5% in the fourth quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 871,377 shares of the health services provider’s stock valued at $189,978,000 after purchasing an additional 325,162 shares during the last quarter. 86.05% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About Universal Health Services

Universal Health Services, Inc (NYSE: UHS) is one of the largest diversified health care management companies in the United States, offering a broad spectrum of services through its acute care hospital and behavioral health segments. The company operates general acute care hospitals, surgical hospitals and ambulatory centers, as well as inpatient and outpatient behavioral health facilities. Its network provides emergency and specialized medicine, diagnostic imaging, laboratory services, advanced surgical care and rehabilitation, complemented by a comprehensive array of behavioral services including psychiatric treatment, addiction programs and developmental disabilities care.

In the acute care segment, UHS’s facilities deliver services ranging from emergency department treatment and intensive care to maternity care and outpatient surgery.